GV1EENU: Environmental Engineering Microbiology

Module code: GV1EENU

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Elizabeth Shaw , email: e.j.shaw@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Adharsh Rajasekar, email: adharsh.r@nuist.edu.cn

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 29 May 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is intended to provide an overview of the concepts, theories and applications in the microbiological remediation of contaminated land and wastewater. The module focusses on applying microbiology to bioremediation and biodegradation in polluted environments. A series of laboratory sessions accompanies the lectures and provides key microbiological skills. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Explain the source and structure of major environmental contaminants 
2. Understand the theory of microbial degradation of contaminants and its applications in bioremediation and ecosystem restoration and conduct laboratory-based, microbiological techniques relavant to bioremeditaion
3. Evaluate the functional roles of micro-organisms in the biodegradation of pollutants 
4. Compare the various scientific techniques in applied environmental microbiology 

Module content

• An introduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology 
• Terms and nomenclature in advanced and applied microbiology 
• A focus on eubacteria, archaebacteria and antibiotic resistant bacteria. 
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• Bioremediation: examples and applications in polluted environments 
• Phytoremediation: examples and applications in polluted environments 
• Wastewater remediation 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Classroom lectures and tutorials will describe and explain the concepts and key processes, whilst the laboratory classes and workshops will provide the practical training and demonstration-led supervision.  

Study hours

At least 96 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.